Journalists attacked while covering poor road condition in Hailakandi, FIR against close aide of Algapur MLA

A few journalists of Hailakandi were attacked by close aides of Algapur MLA while collecting news. The incident took place in Shirispur of Algapur constituency under Hailakandi district. The journalists were covering the poor condition of a road connecting the Hailakandi town as well as Shirispur with Ratabari constituency.

The road connecting Hailakandi with Ratabari constituency of Karimganj has been in a dilapidated condition for many years. The road has not been repaired for 10 years. When it rains, the road turns into a drain with mud and water. The residents have repeatedly informed the Public Works Department and Algapur MLA Nizam Uddin Choudhury about the condition of the road but they have not taken any initiative yet.

Finding no other way, the locals with the help of various organisations blocked the road yesterday morning to register their protest. The protesters also burnt an effigy of local MLA Nizam Uddin Choudhury for his inaction. This became the apple of discord for close aides of the MLA. They attacked journalists who were covering the protest. The attack was carried out on journalists by a group of four or five people led by a cadre of the Algapur MLA named Mojibur Tapadar.

The attackers damaged a camera, mobile phone and several microphone booms. Later the journalists registered an FIR against Mojibur Tapadar at Shirispur Police Outpost.

Speaking about the incident the journalists said, “The road connecting Shirispur with Karimganj has been in a dilapidated condition since many days. The locals alongwith various organisations were staging a protest against it. To cover their protest, representatives of various news channels and newspapers came to the spot. While taking the news bite of an e-rickshaw driver, a miscreant came and attaked him. We tried to stop him and that when he also attacked us and used abusive language. Later we lodged an FIR at Shirispur Police Outpost against Mojibur Tapadar. If the miscreant is not arrested till 12 pm then we will organise a big protest infront of SP office.”

The incident has caused sensation in Hailakandi. The attack was condemned by various organisations of Hailakandi and they demanded to arrest the attackers within 12 hours.